Fansided

Sean Payton staying with Saints, honoring contract

By Cody Williams

Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the second quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the second quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rumors have swirled about Sean Payton moving on, but he will be staying as head coach of the New Orleans Saints

With a loss in Week 17 to the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints finished at 7-9 for the third-consecutive season. For a franchise with the offensive talent that they’ve had for so long, that lack of success is certainly concerning. Moreover, it’s put a bit of a dark cloud over the team. As such, there have been rumors swirling about head coach Sean Payton potentially heading elsewhere for the 2017 season.

Despite the rumors and reports about the situation in recent days, though, that’s not going to be the case—at least according to Payton.

On Monday (Black Monday, to be specific), Payton spoke on the situation and clarified that his future is with the Saints, at least for now. The head coach appeared on his weekly segment on the WWL Radio Show on Monday evening and was asked about the situation. Payton stated that his “plan” is to stick around with the Saints for next season. Going further, the head coach said that his contract is for the next four years and he plans on “honoring” that deal, per The Times-Picayune.

Even if Payton stays in New Orleans, it’s quite clear that something needs to change moving forward when it comes to this team. Following the Week 17 loss, Saints star quarterback Drew Brees spoke out about the lack of team success and seemed none too pleased. In fact, the 2016 season’s leading passer went as far as to say that he didn’t know ‘how much longer he could do this.’

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In fairness to Brees, you’re talking about one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL with the Saints, yet they can’t seem to get over the hump as of late. Whether that’s Payton or a front office issue in regards to how they’ve constructed their defense, it’s an issue. Therefore, even Sean Payton staying doesn’t erase the malaise that’s swept over the organization as of late.

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